The effects of cadmium on the anatomical structures of different vegetative parts, namely root, stem and leaf of chickpea, Cicer arientinum L. was studied. Four different concentrations of CdCl2 e.g. 250, 500, 750 and 1000 μM were considered as treatments alongside non treated samples (control). In case of root anatomy decrease of root diameter, root cortex area, thick walled endodermal layer and reduced number of metaxylem vessels were observed compared to control. Similarly, stem diameter, cortical area, size and number of xylem vessels were decreased in Cd treated stem. However, large and increased number of trichomes had been found in Cd treated stem samples with deposition of phenolic compounds in vessels with increasing concentration of Cd. Considerable less toxic effects were observed in leaf anatomy except decrease in leaf thickness, reduced vascular area and closure of stomata in comparison to control sample. All such plant anatomical alterations indicated adverse effects as well as tolerance of chickpea up to certain concentrations of heavy metal to cope up with the changing environment. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 29(1): 45-52, 2020 (January)

Anatomical response of maize (Zea mays L.) to phosphorus deficiency grown in sand culture and half strength Hoagland solution revealed that phosphorus deficiency caused a decrease in diameter of the root and stem as well as thickness of the leaf. Epidermal cells of the root, stem and leaf became thickened, cortical zone of root and stem was reduced, endodermal and pericycle cells became smaller and thick walled in phosphorus deficient plants. The prominent structural changes due to phosphorus deficiency occurred in the vascular system where the vascular area is decreased with less number of xylem vessels and smaller size of the cavity. Phosphorus deficiency also resulted in decreased number and smaller sized stomata in leaves.

Sulphur deficiency caused a decrease in accumulation of Na+ but increased the accumulation of K+ in the root, stem and leaf of mungbean seedlings grown in solution culture under light bank. It also decreased K+ and Na+ accumulation in the root, stem and leaf of mungbean plants grown in sand culture under natural environmental conditions. However, sulphur deficiency increased the accumulation of NO3- in the root and stem but decreased that in leaf of mungbean seedlings grown in solution culture. It decreased accumulation of PO43- in the root, stem and leaf except an initial increase in the leaf. It increased net influx, long distance transport and transport index of K+ but decreased those of Na+ in mungbean seedlings. This result indicates that K+ is more mobile in plants than Na+. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 25(2): 123-130, 2016 (July)

NaCl salinity in the range of 50 to 200 mM increased Na+ accumulation in the root and shoot of 7-, 14- and 21-day-old maize seedlings. The accumulation of Na+ and Cl- increased but K+ accumulation decreased with the increase in NaCl concentration from 50 to 200 mM in the root and shoot of maize in all the three ages. Key words: Salinity, NaCl, Ion transport, Root, Shoot, Maize doi:10.3329/bjb.v37i2.1733 Bangladesh J. Bot. 37(2): 203-205, 2008 (December)

Investigation on leaf anatomical adaptation of 18 mangrove plant species was carried out. Among the 18 species 13 were dorsiventral and five were isobilateral type. All the species had special stomatal structure and variable cuticle layer to minimize transpiration. Most of the species had succulent leaves with leaf thickness ranging from around 232 to 1363 μm. As an indication of salt secretion, both glandular and non-glandular trichomes were observed in several species. Although presence of single to multilayered hypodermis might effectively function as water storage tissue, several studied mangrove plant species e.g. Cynometra ramiflora L., Phoenix paludosa Roxb., Pongamea pinnata (L.) Pierre, Sonneratia apetala Buch. - Ham., S. caseolaris (L.) Engl. and Xylocarpus moluccensis (Lamk.) M. Roem. showed complete absence of hypodermis. This might be due to moderate saline condition. In addition, marked terminal tracheids in mesophyll tissue of a number of species might help with capillary water storage within the leaf. To enhance mechanical support several species were found to develop considerable amount of diverse sclereids within the mesophyll tissue and surrounding vascular bundle. Although maximum anatomical adaptations are common for plants growing in saline habitat it may be suggested that these features were differentially developed in plants specifically grown in mesohaline zone.